Pregnancy week by week

15 weeks Pregnant: What to Expect?

week_15_of_pregnancy

15 weeks Pregnant: What to Expect?

 

15 weeks pregnant is three months and approximately two weeks pregnant.

 

Baby’s Growth During Pregnancy – Week 15

The baby’s respiratory system is becoming more advanced. They are using their swallowing and sucking abilities to breathe in amniotic fluid, which is good practice for his developing lungs.

The bones of your baby’s skeleton are hardening and his muscle tissue continues to develop. Their legs, which are still short, are growing longer every day.
Your baby’s eyes are still shut, but they’re now becoming sensitive to light. The hearing abilities are developing too. By the end of this week, the baby can probably hear your heart beating and your tummy gurgling.

Your baby is definitely looking more like a fully formed human being. The ears will have positioned at the side of the head as it normally should and the eyes will have taken their position on the face. It’s possible that you may start feeling your kid moving and flexing in your tummy while your baby is also working on sucking, swallowing and breathing.

 

What is the Baby’s Size?

Your baby measures nearly 10.1cm (4in) from head to bottom (crown to rump) and weighs about 70g (2.5oz). The baby is almost the same size as a Peach.

 

15-week Symptoms of Pregnancy

Here’s a list of what you might be experiencing at week 15 pregnancy.

  • Increased sex drive

Now that your energy is back, you may be feeling more energetic in the bedroom as well. Sometimes the other symptoms of pregnancy may just jolt you back out of bedroom but it’s your body and you know best how to handle it.

  • Nosebleeds

This is obviously not-so-lovely symptom. It is the result of a combination of increased blood volume and sensitive nasal passages. Try not to be in hot temperature for a long time.

  • Heartburn

The hormones are just going haywire. Try to pay attention to foods that are triggering your symptoms and try to avoid them.  You may even experience a lot of gas and indigestion. Also, you must talk to your doctor about what stomach remedies are safe. Stock up on some antacids, which are doubly awesome because they have lots of much-needed calcium. Consult your doctor before taking anything.

  • Swollen gums

Your gums are now more sensitive. You have to take extra good care of them. Brush your teeth often, floss gently, and see your dentist for regular check-ups.

You will often find yourself running out of breath. But let’s face it; it’s getting more crowded in your torso and because of this it might be trickier for your lungs to expand enough to get a full breath.

[Read: 18 most Embarrassing Pregnancy Problems]

If you’re 15 weeks pregnant with twins, your symptoms probably aren’t much different than they would be for a mother-to-be carrying one baby at 15 weeks. However, because higher hormone levels in trimester one may have made you more likely to have morning sickness, you may still be having bouts of nausea, which should begin to lessen soon. Always let your OB know if you have any severe or concerning symptoms.

 

15 weeks pregnant belly

It can be both – you may be showing your belly already and there are chances that you aren’t. It’s completely normal

In any event, the 15th week of pregnancy does mark quite the transition in your second trimester and pregnancy. At the onset of the 15th week, your uterus should already be stretching to accommodate your baby.

Your 15 weeks pregnant belly is making a huge transition. During the first trimester, your uterus still fit nicely inside your pelvis. But now, it’s stretching to accommodate your growing baby and will soon outgrow your pelvis and sit higher up in your belly. You must know that every mom-to-be’s body is different, and the rate of growth can vary slightly. That’s why at week 15 of pregnancy, it’s completely normal to not show much, or have an obvious baby bump

If you’re 15 weeks pregnant with twins, things are probably stretching out at a faster rate, and you’re likely showing by now. Recommended 15 weeks pregnant weight gain is about 1 to 2 pounds per week, so continue to eat about 300 extra calories per day. In case you notice drastic weight gain, notify your doctor right away. This could be a sign of a serious pregnancy condition called preeclampsia.

 

15 Weeks Ultrasound

You probably can’t feel it yet, but a 15 weeks pregnant ultrasound would reveal that baby’s squirming a ton in there, now that he or she is able to move all limbs and joints. Baby might even be taking hiccups inside your 15 weeks pregnant belly.

If you’ve chosen to do a Multiple Marker Screen (MMS, a.k.a. Triple or Quad Screen Test), you’ll have blood drawn between week 15 pregnancy and week 20. This screening measures levels of certain proteins and hormones in a mother-to-be’s blood to give her a more accurate assessment of baby’s risk of neural tube defects than the first trimester screening offers.

Amniocentesis is another elective test—it happens between weeks 15 and 20. This invasive test can diagnose neural tube defects, chromosomal abnormalities, and other genetic disorders. It is considered safe overall but does pose some risks, so make sure you talk it over with your doctor to decide whether or not you’ll have the procedure. You may choose amnio if you have an abnormal triple or quad test or if your baby has a higher risk of genetic abnormalities.

For the amnio, the doctor will use the ultrasound to see inside your 15-week pregnant belly and will guide a needle into the amniotic sac to gather a sample of fluid to be tested. All of these tests can be end up being a little stressful. Make sure you find time in between to pamper yourself, physically and mentally.

 

PREGNANCY CHECKLIST AT 15-WEEKS PREGNANCY

Reminders for the week:

  • Stay hydrated
  • Get plenty of rest and regular hours of sleep
  • Eat proper portions at proper times
  • Take medication as prescribed by your doctor
  • Exercise in moderation to deal with aches.

 

Also read: 14 Weeks of Pregnant: What to Expect?

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